Local Korean Language Teacher Training Program Held In Indonesia

Mastering foreign languages is one of the important soft skills that brings about the myriad benefits of today's globalization era, where the boundaries of communication between humans are easier to reach and mobility is increasing.

Studying foreign languages will make it easier in various activities abroad and communicating with foreigners, for example, such as activities for business matters, buying and selling, looking for work, education, and so on.

In addition to being a valuable advantage to be able to have a career abroad, it is not uncommon for domestic companies that require foreign language qualifications for prospective workers.

Therefore, mastering foreign languages is one of the important soft skills that must be possessed and developed by various age groups. In addition, there are also various other benefits such as being able to expand relationships, providing better career opportunities, increasing creativity, increasing multifunctional abilities, increasing memory and much more.

One of the languages that is now popular around the world, including in Indonesia, is the Korean language. The popularity of Korean in Indonesia begins with Korean culture that comes in such as Korean music, Korean dramas, Korean food and so on, this event is called Korean Wave.

This phenomenon is felt by its impact on the daily lives of the Indonesian people, especially in the millennial generation. The rapid development of information technology is a major factor in the enthusiasm of the Indonesian people for the Korean Wave.

In addition, the occurrence of the pandemic since 2020 has also become one of the factors for the soaring popularity of Korean languages where many people are interested in learning Korean. Not only that, the influence of Korean language is getting stronger in Indonesia along with the stronger and stronger bilateral relations between Indonesia and South Korea.

Of course, later there will be many activities and interests that require understanding of the Korean language. However, the number of local Korean language teachers is still minimal while there are quite a lot of Korean language enthusiasts in Indonesia.

Understanding this, the King Sejong Institute Foundation held a free local Korean language teacher training program from August to December 2022 which was conducted online.

This program is managed directly by King Sejong Institute Bandung 1 which is a Korean language course institution under the Korean ministry of culture, sports and tourism together with Korea University.

King Sejong Institute has spread throughout the world including in Indonesia, one of which is King Sejong Institute Bandung 1 which is jointly managed by UNIKOM and Youngsan University, South Korea.

With financing of more than Rp. 100 million from the King Sejong Institute Foundation, a total of 15 participants participated in the implementation of the program with a graduation date of December 16, 2022.

However, only 13 participants managed to graduate with 3 participants who received the best title, namely Tantri Wrahastati in first place, Maya Mari Mustafa in second place, and Anisa Fitriani Rosyadi in third.

"This program helps me to become a better Korean language teacher in the future. I was taught many things, such as how to compile a silabus to how to make class plans and how to teach so that classes become attractive," said Tantri Wrahastati.

A number of teachers from the Indonesian University of Education were involved in the training program, including Asma Azizah SAS MA, Arief Husein Lubis, S.Pd., M.Pd., Risa Triarisanti, S.Pd., MP, and Ashanti Widyana, S.Pd., MA.

In addition, Professor Choi Bo Mi and Professor Choi Su Jeong who are lecturers from Korea University also took part in the training program.

Professor Pyeon Jay Gil as chairman of King Sejong Institute Bandung congratulated the graduating participants.

"I, as Chair of King Sejong Institute Bandung 1, congratulate the participants who graduated. Hopefully, by participating in this training program, the participants can be better prepared to become Korean language teachers who are able to spread and introduce Korean culture and language even better to the Indonesian people, and are expected to be the first step in managing a career as a Korean teacher," he explained.